# NTSB ATL02LA119: Robinson R-22, N8380H, Tunica, MS, June 4, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 4, 2002, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Tunica, MS - Coordinates: 34.67744, -90.37886 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6774&lon=-90.3789&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Jackson FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54876 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL02LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54876/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54876 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA119 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper control of cyclic, resulting in impact with terrain and a subsequent dynamic rollover. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, hover - rotorcraft flight control,cyclic control - improper (cause) - dynamic rollover - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis A Robinson R-22 helicopter collided with the ground as the pilot hovered over a rice field. The pilot reported that his attention was diverted, and the right skid collided with a berm, causing the helicopter to roll over. Examination of the helicopter failed to reveal any abnormalities or malfunctions. ## Factual narrative On June 4, 2002, at 1830 central daylight time, a Robinson R-22 helicopter, N8380H, registered to Tri-M Agronomics and operated by the commercial pilot, collided with the ground as the pilot hovered in a rice field near Tunica, Mississippi. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage, and the pilot was not injured. The flight departed Tunica, Mississippi, at 1750. The pilot reported that, as he hovered over the rice field, the right skid collided with a berm, and the helicopter rolled over. The pilot stated that his attention was diverted at the time of the accident. In addition, the pilot said he "should have set the aircraft on the ground before diverting my attention elsewhere." Examination of the airplane revealed impact damage to the main rotor system, tail boom and tail rotor, and the main cabin. There was also damage to the engine cradle and mast attachment areas. Distortion was noted on the outer skin panels of the helicopter just behind the cockpit area on both sides and aft of the main rotor area. The tail boom was severed from the helicopter. Examination of the helicopter failed to reveal any abnormalities or malfunctions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8380H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8380H-2004-03-16), registration cancelled 2004-03-16, S/N 0325, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R-22 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0325 - Airframe hours: 3795 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 2002, 48.5 hours before - Departed: Tunica, MA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 2, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 1,172 total, 227 in this make and model, 779 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 11 knots - Visibility: 180 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: MEM, 30 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20020604010559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020604010559A), Jun 4, 2002: Robsin R22, Tunica, MS, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was surveying rice field and during low hover with some side movement the right skid struck a dirt berm and rolled over coming to rest on the right… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 28, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54876. 696 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 624 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442541&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442542&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.